RICHMOND, Va. — Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Cree will succeed Col. Marie M. Mahoney as the United State Property and Fiscal Officer for Virginia, according to an announcement made Oct. 10, 2019, by Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia.
“Please join me in congratulating this proven leader as he begins transitioning to this key position of increased responsibility,” Williams wrote in the announcement. “Col. Cree’s record of unwavering leadership, ethics, and sound judgement assure his readiness to serve in this critical role. Having spent the past five years as Deputy USPFO, Jeff has proven exceptionally prepared to meet this challenge, and I have no doubt he will meet continued success.”
Cree’s assignment was effective Oct. 1, but Mahoney will retain authority as the USPFO until all transition actions are complete and then return to the technician program as a special assistant to the Director of the Joint Staff.
A transfer of authority ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, at the Virginia National Guard Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, and Cree will also be promoted to colonel.
“Col. Mahoney served diligently as USPFO since 2013, providing sage counsel to me and my staff, while furthering the priorities of CNGB and safeguarding Federal resources,” Williams wrote. “Marie is a trusted advisor at both the state and national level, and her impact as USPFO will be felt by this organization for years to come.”
The United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Virginia performs duties as an agent of the Chief of National Guard Bureau to receive and account for all federal funds and property in the possession of the Virginia Army and Air National Guard. The USPFO ensures that more than $244 million in federal funds are obligated and expended in conformance with applicable statutes and regulations and acts as the Installation director of logistics, resource management and contracting officer for the Virginia National Guard managing logistics, support and financial management. The USPFO maintains a dual responsibility to CNGB and the Adjutant General of Virginia and is responsible to CNGB to ensure that all applicable laws, regulations and policies established by Congress, Department of Defense, and Departments of the Army and Air Force are complied with in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Cree was commissioned into the U.S. Army in 2000 after graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the Reserve Officer Training Corps at McDaniel College where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. After serving on active duty, Cree joined the Virginia National Guard in 2006. He holds a Master’s degree in Homeland Security from American Military University and was a National Security Fellow at Harvard University in 2017. Cree commanded at the company and battalion level, and he also served as the deputy J3, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team S4 logistics officer and S1 personnel officer and 429th Brigade Support Battalion commander, executive officer and battalion officer-in-charge. He has supported operations in Germany and Bosnia and deployed to Iraq from 2004 to 2005.
Mahoney received an ROTC commission upon graduation from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1986. She entered active duty immediately upon commissioning and joined the Virginia National Guard in 1991. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from William and Mary and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Mahoney commanded at the company and brigade level, and she also served as a deputy human resources officer, J1 personal officer, J4 logistics officer and J8 resource management officer. She is a 2008 graduate of the Advance Joint Professional Education Course at the Joint Forces Staff College and a 2012 graduate of the United States Army War College. She served in Korea while on active duty and deployed to Afghanistan from 2011 to 2012.